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| Day by Day Itinerary: |
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| Day 1 - Arrive Wellington |
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Welcome to New Zealand! You will be met at Wellington Airport and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight: Bay Plaza Hotel |
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| Day2 - Wellington / Picton / Blenheim |
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 Join the Interislander Ferry for a scenic cruise to the South Island with views of the City and its hillside suburbs. Cross Cook Strait into the sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte Sound, bush clad hillsides remote bays and isolated holiday homes. In Picton, you are welcomed by your South Island Coach Captain. Explore Picton then drive to Blenheim for an afternoon's sightseeing. A visit to the Montana Winery for a complimentary tasting and afternoon tea.
Overnight: Heartland Hotel Blenheim. |
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| Day3 - Blenheim / Kaikoura / Christchurch |
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Past Lake Grassmere then follow the coastline to Kaikoura, an area noted for whale watching. Over the Hundalee Ranges and onto the Canterbury Plains to the Garden City of Christchurch. Visit the International Antarctic Centre before a city tour highlighting a strong English influence. See the parklands and River Avon before boarding the Tourist Tram for a circuit of the city centre which showcases all the main points of interest.
Overnight: Pavilions Hotel. |
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| Day4 - Christchurch / Mt Cook / Omarama |
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 Depart Christchurch across the broad expanse of the Canterbury Plains with the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps to the west. Enter the foothills near Geraldine, ascend Burkes Pass into the barren Mackenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd dedicated to the early pioneers of the region and the Collie Dog memorial overlooking the milky blue waters of Lake Tekapo. Time also for a spectacular flight over the Southern Alps, lakes and glaciers with Air Safaris (optional) before continuing your journey into the Mt Cook National Park. A stop at the Mt Cook Alpine Village allows time to enjoy the scenic majesty of New Zealand's highest snow capped peaks before travelling on around the shores of Lake Pukaki to the town of Twizel and onto Omarama.
Overnight: Heritage Gateway Hotel. |
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| Day5 - Omarama / Dunedin |
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Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin - the "Scottish" city. An early arrival allows the choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton's Citibus tour to see the albatross, penguins and seals. Enjoy the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge train excursion, or just explore the city only a few minutes walk away. This evening prior to Dinner you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the Haggis and gift.
Overnight: Cargills Hotel. |
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| Day6 - Dunedin / Lake Manapouri / Te Anau |
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Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich, rolling farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden, to reach picturesque Lake Manapouri with its backdrop of rugged bushclad mountains before arriving at the shores of Lake Te Anau.
Overnight: Distinction Luxmore Hotel
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| Day7 - Milford Sound Day Trip |
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A highlight of any tour. Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys where the beech forests reach right to the roads edge and mighty snow capped peaks tower above, pass the Homer Tunnel and descend into the Cleddau Canyon to reach majestic Milford Sound dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you right to the open sea and shows such highlights as the Bowen and Stirling Falls. Ample time this afternoon to relax and really appreciate your surroundings, take a short walk into the rainforest to visit The Chasm a spectacular waterfall then pause at the entrance to the Homer Tunnel. If time and conditions permit your Coach Captain may make a short drive into the Hollyford Valley before returning to Te Anau later in the afternoon.
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| Day8 - Te Anau / Queenstown |
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 Cruise across Lake Te Anau to explore the underground world of rushing water and drift beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glow worms, an unforgettable sight. This afternoon drive north to Kingston and around the shores of Lake Wakatipu to picturesque Queenstown. This evening, cruise across the lake aboard the steamship TSS Earnslaw for dinner in the Colonel's Homestead at Walter Peak Sheep Station. Overnight: Rydges Hotel. |
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| Day9 - Queenstown |
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| A day to explore the many delights of this alpine resort at your leisure. Your Coach Captain will happily advise on the many optional sightseeing and recreational activities available to you. We recommend the world famous Shotover Jet Boat ride, take a Gondola ride to the Skyline high above , a tour to the gold mining area of Skippers Canyon, or for the adventurous - white water rafting. Alternatively browse in the many shops and galleries - the choice is yours. |
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| Day10 - Queenstown / Haast Pass / Fox Glacier |
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Pass picturesque Lake Hayes, then on through the rugged Kawarau Gorge and follow the turbulent Clutha river toward Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora and into Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the glacier region.
Upon arrival into Fox Glacier there is an opportunity to either take an optional guided walk to the glacier's terminal face or an optional helicopter flight over the glacier.
Overnight: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier |
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| Day 11 - Fox Glacier / Christchurch |
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Time this morning for an optional helicopter flight over the glaciers, then travel north passing tiny lakes and farming settlements. Stop at Greymouth for a visit to a Greenstone (Jade) factory to see craftsmen cutting and polishing giant boulders to create fine jewellery. An interpretive tour will cover the history, mining and crafting of jade. Cross the Otira Gorge and Arthurs Pass, which traverses the Southern Alps, to the Canterbury Plains and into Christchurch.
(Optional: Join the world famous TranzAlpine train for the full journey through the Southern Alps to Christchurch)
Overnight: Pavilions Hotel |
| Day 12 - Depart Christchurch |
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| Time this morning to farewell your new found friends before you are transferred to Christchurch International Airport to join your flight home. |
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| Departure Dates: |
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| Tour Code |
Start
Wellington |
Finish Christchurch |
Promotions & Deals |
Guaranteed
Departure |
| 12 days |
2010 |
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| V62 |
Mon 02 Aug |
Fri 13 Aug |
See above for great discounts |
Yes |
| V13 |
Mon 23 Aug |
Fri03 Sep |
See above for great discounts |
Yes |
| V16 |
Mon 13 Sep |
Fri 24 Sep |
See above for great discounts |
Yes |
| V162 |
Sat 18 Sep |
Wed 29 Sep |
See above for great discounts |
Yes |
| V17 |
Mon 20 Sep |
Fri 01 Oct |
See above for great discounts |
Yes |
| V172 |
Sat 25 Sep |
Wed 06 Oct |
See above for great discounts |
Yes |
| V18 |
Mon 27 Sep |
Fri 08 Oct |
See above for great discounts |
Yes |
| V182 |
Sat 02 Oct |
Wed 13 Oct |
See above for great discounts |
Yes
|
| V19 |
Mon 04 Oct |
Fri 15 Oct |
See above for great discounts |
Yes
|
| V20 |
Mon 11 Oct |
Fri 27 Oct |
See above for great discounts |
Yes
|
| V21 |
Mon 18 Oct |
Fri 29 Oct |
See above for great discounts |
Yes
|
| V22 |
Mon 25 Oct |
Fri 05 Nov |
See above for great discounts |
Yes
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| V23 |
Mon 01 Nov |
Fri 12 Nov |
See above for great discounts |
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| V24 |
Mon 08 Nov |
Fri 19 Nov |
See above for great discounts |
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| V25 |
Mon 15 Nov |
Fri 26 Nov |
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| V26 |
Mon 22 Nov |
Fri 03 Dec |
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| V27 |
Mon 29 Nov |
Fri 10 Dec |
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| V28 |
Mon 06 Dec |
Fri 17 Dec |
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| V29 |
Mon 13 Dec |
Fri 24 Dec |
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| V30 |
Mon 20 Dec |
Fri 31 Dec |
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| V31 |
Mon 27 Dec |
Fri 07 Jan |
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2011 |
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| V32 |
Mon 03 Jan |
Fri 14 Jan |
See above for great discounts |
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| V33 |
Mon 10 Jan |
Fri 21 Jan |
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| V34 |
Mon 17 Jan |
Fri 28 Jan |
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| V342 |
Sat 22 Jan |
Wed 02 Feb |
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| V35 |
Mon 24 Jan |
Fri 04 Feb |
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| V36 |
Mon 31 Jan |
Fri 11 Feb |
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| V362 |
Sat 05 Feb |
Wed 16 Feb |
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| V37 |
Mon 07 Feb |
Fri 18 Feb |
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|
| V372 |
Sat 12 Feb |
Wed 23 Feb |
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| V38 |
Mon 14 Feb |
Fri 25 Feb |
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| V39 |
Mon 21 Feb |
Fri 04 Mar |
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| V392 |
Sat 26 Feb |
Wed 09 Mar |
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| V40 |
Mon 28 Feb |
Fri 11 Mar |
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| V402 |
Sat 05 Mar |
Wed 16 Mar |
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| V41 |
Mon 07 Mar |
Fri 18 Mar |
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| V42 |
Mon 14 Mar |
Fri 25 Mar |
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| V422 |
Sat 19 Mar |
Wed 30 Mar |
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| V43 |
Mon 21 Mar |
Fri 01 Apr |
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| V44 |
Mon 28 Mar |
Fri 08 Apr |
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|
| V45 |
Mon 04 Apr |
Fri 15 Apr |
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|
| V462 |
Sat 16 Apr |
Wed 27 Apr |
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| V47 |
Mon 18 Apr |
Fri 29 Apr |
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|
| V472 |
Sat 23 Apr |
Wed 04 May |
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|
| V48 |
Mon 25 Apr |
Fri 06 May |
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